Low altitude parachute



April 23, 1946. u. H. CARR 2,399,100

LOW ALTITUDE PARACHUTE Filed June 21, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 23, 1946. u. H. CARR LOW ALTITUDE PARACHUTE Filed June 21, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 URI/4H 1v. CAR/E Patented Apr. 23, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE LOW ALTITUDE PARACHUTE Uriah H. Carr, Winston-Salem, N. o. Application June 21, i044, Serial No. 541,403 1 Claim. (01. 244-142) This invention relates to an improved parachute construction. An object of this invention is to provide an improved parachute construction and assembly which includes means whereby the parachute may be positively opened by the wearer so that the device may be used at either low or high altitudes with assurance that the parachute will positively open.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which embodies the use of a pilot parachute extending from center of the main parachute, the pilot parachute serving asa means for pulling or ejecting the main parachute from the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a device of this kinda container having gas under pressure, preferably air, and including a valve adapted to be opened by the wearer, the air upon release from the container initially blowing the pilot parachute from the holder therefor, and subsequently blowing the main parachute from the holder.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind wherein the air receptacle is of such construction that it may be used as a float in the event that the wearer land in water or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air receptacle which may be made out of any desired metal, such as copper beryllium or other suitable metal which is made bullet-proof by any suitable means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combined parachute and opener therefor which may be released from the holder by the wearer in the event the holding straps are not immediately torn by the air pressure.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claim appended hereto.

Figure 3 is a detailed side elevation of the device with the parachute, folded.

Figure 4 is a detailed front elevation of the device.

Figure 5 is a detailed rear elevation, partly broken away and. in section.

Figure 6 is a sectional view, taken on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view, taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section, partly in detail, taken substantially through the center of the device.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line 9 9, of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line |0l0, of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line I ll I of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line l2l2, of Figure 10, and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the air valve for filling the device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l5 designates generally a hollow body which is formed of a longitudinally curved front wall 16 and a similarly curved rear wall IT. A curved bottom wall I 8 connects the lower ends of the walls l6 and I! together, and a neck I9 extends upwardly from the upper end of the body l5. An upwardly opening parachute receptacle or holder 20 extends from the upper end of the neck l9, and is adapted to receive a parachute including a main parachute and a pilot parachute in folded position.

The body l5 has disposed between the front and rear walls thereof a plurality of intersecting or crossed bracing walls 2| which are perforated so that air or gas may readily pass through the entire body. The neck [9 is provided with a reduced opening 22 communicating with a nozzle 23 which extends upwardly into the bottom of the holder 20. A slide valve 24 is slidable in an opening 25 formed transversely in the neck I9, and is formed at its inner end with a beveled or rounded portion 26. The neck I9 is formed with an annular rib 21 having an annular groove 28 therein within which a sealing gasket 29 is posi- The body ii, at the lower portion thereof, has secured thereto a pressure gauge 34 so that the user of the device can readily determine whether the amount of pressure within the body I8 is suflicient to discharge the parachute from the holder 20. A spring pressed air valve 35 is carried by the rear wall l'l, adjacent the lower portion thereof, and is adapted to be closed by means of a cap 36.

A main parachute 31, having uys 38, is adapted to be secured to the inner portion or the holder 20, the lower ends of the guys 28 being secured to loops 39 carried by the interior of the holderv 20 about the base of the nozzle 23. The central upper portion of the parachute 31 is formed with an opening 40, and a pilot parachute 4! having guys 42 is connected to the main parachute 31 and extends from the central opening 40. I

When the main and pilot parachutes are in folded position, they are releasably held in the holder 29 by means oi a pairof crossed straps 43 and 44. The straps 43 are connected to loops 45 carried by the upper edge of the holder 20, and the straps 44 are connected to loops 46 carried by the upper edge of the holder 20. The straps 43 and 44, at a point adjacent their crossing or intersecting point, are provided with tear portions 4'! and 48, respectively, and a tear strap 49 is looped about the crossing point of the straps 43 and 44 so that the user may pull strap 49 so as to break the two straps 43 and 44 and thereby provide for the release of the main and pilot parachutes and the discharge thereof from the holder by pressure from within the body IS. The forward side of the body l may have a cushioning element 50 secured thereto, which is adapted to engage the back of the user, and this cushioning element, if desired, may be of buoyant constr action so as to assist the body IS in maintainin: the wearer afloat i! the wearer should drop into a body of water.

In the use and operation or this device, the body 15 is strapped to the body or the wearer by means of straps 5| engaging loops 52 carried by the opposite side edges of the body IS. The interior of the body I! is filled with gas, such as air or the like, the valve 24 being in closed position and the air or gas being discharged into the body l5 through the air valve 35. When the air or gas is of they desired pressure, as determined by the gauge 34, the user will be assured that opening of valve 24 will provide for the forcible discharge and opening of the main and pilot parachutes when desired.

In opening the main and pilot parachutes,

strap 49 may be pulled so as to break straps 43 and 44, whereupon valve 24 may be pulled outcle and having a passage communicating said holder and receptacle, a valve intersecting said passage, an outwardly flared air nozzle in said holder adapted to project into the folds of said a main parachute, said nozzle terminating within said holder and underlying said pilot parachute, and a pair of crossed frangible straps secured to said holder and engaging over said parachutes to normally hold the latter in the holder.

URIAH H. CARR. 

